Pubs reopening is turning point for hospitality industry – The Yorkshire Post says

Yet, while this provides a timely tonic in a region such as Yorkshire that is more dependent on the tourism, cultural and leisure industries than others, it would be naive to suggest that thius marks a return of business as usual.

Quite the opposite. This is very much a tentative reopening – Covid’s threat remains omnipresent – and follows much endeavour by all concerned to ensure that premises comply with social distancing rules.

As such, they deserve your support – it could, literally, be the difference of staying in business or not – but also your patience. Don’t give up if you can’t get into your favourite pub or attraction because they’re too busy.

Plan ahead – advance bookings have been introduced to help control numbers and minimise the health risks – and be respectful to staff. This is new for them too.

And help spread the word when you receive outstanding service – each and every resident of this county needs to remember that they’re an ambassador for Yorkshire too.

But Boris Johnson’s ebullience at the prospect of a long-awaited Prime Ministerial pint masks the seriousness of the crisis facing the visitor economy as Chancellor Rishi Sunak sets out an emergency economic plan next week.

And while the Government’s focus needs to be on jobs and skills, in addition to the modest measures announced by Mr Johnson in his speech on infrastructure, there are also policy interventions – like a VAT cut for tourism and extra support for the performing arts – that should be considered by the Government before more ventures go out of business through very little fault of their own.

Editor’s note: first and foremost - and rarely have I written down these words with more sincerity - I hope this finds you well.

Almost certainly you are here because you value the quality and the integrity of the journalism produced by The Yorkshire Post’s journalists - almost all of which live alongside you in Yorkshire, spending the wages they earn with Yorkshire businesses - who last year took this title to the industry watchdog’s Most Trusted Newspaper in Britain accolade.

And that is why I must make an urgent request of you: as advertising revenue declines, your support becomes evermore crucial to the maintenance of the journalistic standards expected of The Yorkshire Post. If you can, safely, please buy a paper or take up a subscription. We want to continue to make you proud of Yorkshire’s National Newspaper but we are going to need your help.

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Sincerely. Thank you.

James Mitchinson

Editor